Education and schools in Luxembourg have a solid reputation, and pupils leave well prepared for a multilingual job market. The government runs most public schools free of charge, and schooling is compulsory from age four. In 2026, the school-leaving age was changed from 16 to 18.
Public schools in Luxembourg are trilingual. Children normally start in Luxembourgish, learn to read and write in German, and take up French a little later. Under a recent reform, some families can now choose French instead of German for early literacy, which is much easier for the children from French-speaking backgrounds.
If you’re an expat staying in Luxembourg for the long term and want to enrol your children in local schools, you’ll find the government runs programmes to help international pupils settle into the system. Many schools also teach English as an additional language from the secondary level. But some expat parents are put off by the language mix and send their children to an international school where they can continue their home country’s curriculum in their home language.
Public schools in Luxembourg
It may take a little while to get your head around public education in Luxembourg. Compulsory schooling has two main stages: fundamental education and secondary education. Fundamental education is divided into four cycles. In Cycle 1, children mainly learn to speak Luxembourgish and build their social skills. From Cycle 2, they begin to read and write in a second language and cover basic numeracy, and pupils take up the third language in the later cycles.
Local schools expect students to have a good grasp of at least one national language, along with some knowledge of the others, before they enrol. To support international pupils, the government provides intensive language courses and extra help so newcomers can catch up.
There are also welcome and integration classes (classes d’accueil et d’insertion) for secondary-age children who are new to the Luxembourg system. In these classes, students pick up the languages and prepare to move into mainstream courses.
- Fundamental education (enseignement fondamental) includes four cycles from pre-school to primary school: ages 4 to 11
- Secondary education (enseignement secondaire) is divided into junior and senior classes: ages 12 to 19
At the secondary level, children follow either classical secondary education (enseignement secondaire classique) or general secondary education (enseignement secondaire général). Students in the general stream can choose academic or vocational tracks.
In the lower secondary years, the curriculum is broad, and students specialise more in their chosen subjects in the upper years. Most students finish secondary school between 18 and 19. From there, they can go on to university, start higher technical studies or an apprenticeship, or enter the workforce.
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Private schools in Luxembourg
You’ll find a real mix among private schools in Luxembourg. Some follow the national curriculum, while others use an alternative approach, such as Montessori or Waldorf, or teach a foreign curriculum. Many are subsidised by the state, so their fees are relatively low, and a number offer lessons in English.
These schools could be a good middle ground for international students who wish to learn in English but can’t afford the fees at an international school.
International schools in Luxembourg
International schools in Luxembourg teach foreign curricula in a foreign language, and there are several to choose from. They can be the best option if you want your children to carry on with their home country’s curriculum in their home language. Several teach the International Baccalaureate, and others follow British, American, French, or German programmes. Most of these are private and fee-paying.
They can be pricey, but they usually have good facilities, a wide range of extracurricular activities, small class sizes, and experienced teachers. If you’re moving to Luxembourg for work, try to negotiate a school allowance as part of your employment package to help cover the cost.
There’s a free option too. The state runs several international state schools where students work towards the European Baccalaureate in English, French, or German. There are also two European Schools, although these are mainly for the children of EU staff. Expat families get an English-language or multilingual education this way, without private-school fees. Places are limited, and waiting lists are common, so it’s worth applying early.
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Special educational needs in Luxembourg
Luxembourg has plenty of support in place for children with special educational needs. Some stay in a mainstream school, and some split their time between a mainstream and a special-needs school. Others attend a local or international special-needs school full time.
Across primary and secondary schools, children with special educational needs are looked after by the national inclusive education service (SNEI), specialist competence centres, regional inclusion commissions, and the ESEB support teams. In a mainstream school, that support can include after-school homework help, special classes, extra lessons in the holidays, and one-to-one assistance in the classroom.
Children with intellectual or physical disabilities may qualify for state benefits to help cover the cost of care. Parents apply for these through the Children’s Future Fund (Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants).
Useful links
- Special Needs Support (Ministry of Education, Children and Youth)
- Inclusion Scolaire (National Inclusive Education Service)
- Allowances (Children’s Future Fund)
Tutors in Luxembourg
A tutor in Luxembourg can help your children find their feet with the local languages or settle into a new curriculum. Tutors also lend a hand with any subjects your children are struggling with.
Luxembourg has plenty of tutoring companies and independent tutors. You can arrange private lessons at home or online, or send your child to a tutoring centre for group sessions. Before you hire a private tutor or sign up with a company, ask at your child’s school or check with other local and expat parents for recommendations.